𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐚

ten

Soon enough, Argus was driving us away from Camp Half-Blood and into western Long Island. I was sat in between Annabeth and Percy, who could not seem to stop bickering. Grover was sat at the front, fiddling with his pipes.

"So far so good," Percy said, "Ten miles and not a single monster."

"It's bad luck to talk that way, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth said.

"Remind me again- why do you hate me so much?"

"I don't hate you."

"Could've fooled me."

The two of them sat in silence for a bit. I settled down comfortably again, grateful for the peace and quiet.

"Look... we're just not supposed to get along, okay? Our parents are rivals."

Or not.

"Why?"

"How many reasons do you want? One time my mom caught Poseidon with his girlfriend in Athena's temple, which is hugely disrespectful. Another time, Athena and Poseidon competed to be the patron god for the city of Athens. Your dad created some stupid saltwater spring for his gift. My mom created the olive tree. The people saw that her gift was better, so they named the city after her."

"They must really like olives."

"Oh, forget it."

"Now, if she'd invented pizza- that I could understand."

"I said, forget it!"

I sighed, trying hard to refrain from punching them both.

"Can you two give it a break?" I said, "Annabeth, isn't your mother a war goddess? I'm sure that she would want you getting along with an ally- that's basic knowledge for a good collaboration. And Percy, you do the same thing and be civil."

Annabeth opened her mouth. I cringed slightly, realising what smart witty comeback a daughter of Athena could say to me. Instead she huffed and stayed silent.

"Fine," Annabeth muttered, "Only because you make a good point."

The rest of the journey was pretty peaceful. By the time we reached Manhattan, it was already sunset. The four of us got out of the car and said goodbye to Argus. 

Annabeth and I tried to figure out more about our bus journey: what time it would get here, what stop to get off on- the basics. Meanwhile, Grover and Percy were talking about something. It looked serious.

We got restless waiting for the bus and decided to play some Hacky Sack with one of Grover's apples. Annabeth was unbelievable. She could bounce the apple off her knee, her elbow, her shoulder, whatever. I was decent, but definitely not as good. The game ended when Percy tossed the apple toward Grover and it got too close to his mouth. In one mega goat bite, our Hacky Sack disappeared—core, stem, and all.

"Uh, sorry," Grover said in embarrassment.

None of us really minded. It had been fun whilst it lasted, and seeing Grover swallow an apple whole was definitely entertaining- and hilarious.

Finally the bus came. As we stood in line to board, Grover started looking around, sniffing the air.

"What is it?" Percy asked.

"I don't know," Grover said tensely. "Maybe it's nothing."

Percy and I exchanged a glance. Grover was not a good liar. I could tell something was bothering him. Something bad.

I was relieved when we finally got on board and found seats together in the back of the bus. We stowed our backpacks. Annabeth kept slapping her Yankees cap nervously against her thigh.